Reduce Stress By Changing How You Think

BM0022: Effective Writing Skill ICA4
Posted by: Tang Wen Xiang (103016C)
8th Post: Reduce Stress By Changing How You Think

It may seem that there is nothing we can do about our stress level... However, we have a lot more control than we might think. In fact, the simple realization that we are in control of our life is the foundation of stress management. Managing stress is about taking charge, by it our thoughts, emotion, schedule, environment, way of thinking and the way you dead with problems. The ultimate goal is to have a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on!

The 1st key process of stress management is to identify the sources of stress in our life. This is not as easy as it sounds. Furthermore, our true sources of stress are not always obvious and it is too easy to overlook our stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Thus starting a stress journal can help us identify the regular stressors in our life and the way we deal with them. Until we accept responsibility for the role we play in creating or maintaining it, our stress level will remain outside our control!

There are always a lot of ways to cope with stress. However, we usually cope with stress in ways that compound the problem. We usually use unhealthy ways of coping with stress like smoking, drinking too much, overeating or under eating, zoning out for hours in front of the television or computer, withdrawing from friends, family and activities... Thus, if our methods of coping with stress are not contributing to our greater emotional and physical health, it is time for us to find healthier one.

These are the following healthy stress management strategies!

1. Avoid unnecessary stress, by learning how to say "no", avoiding people who stress us out, taking control of our environment, avoiding hot-button topics like religion or politics, and paring down our to-do list.
2. Alter the situation, by expressing our feelings instead of bottling them up, being willing to compromise, being more assertive and managing our time better.
3. Adapt to the stressor, by reframing problems, looking at the big picture, adjusting our standards and focusing on the positive side.
4. Accept the things we cannot change, by trying not to control the uncontrollable, looking for the upside, sharing our feelings and learning to forgive.
5. Make time for fun and relaxation, by setting aside relaxation time, connecting with others, doing something we enjoyed everyday and keeping our sense of humour.
6. Adopt a healthy lifestyle, by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, reducing caffeine and sugar, avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs and getting enough sleep.

Remember, what doesn't kill us MAKES US STRONGER!!!

URL: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/1069104/1/.html